Billiard-table



(No Model.)

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Patented May 24,1881.

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UNITED ST TES PATENT OFFICE JAMES DOOKSTADER, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

BlLLlARD-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 241,943, dated May 24, 1881.

' Application filed April 8, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES DOCKSTADER, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Billiard Tables, of which the following, taken in connect-ion with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of this invention is to provide simple, convenient, and comparatively inexpensive means for converting a pool-table or pocket billiard-table into a carrom-table, and has,particularly, reference to improved means of securing across the pockets of the table sections of cushions, and of maintaining said sections in their requisite position.

It also relates to certain means of obtainin g a continuous face across the joint between adjacent sections of cushion, all as hereinafter fully described, and speciflcall y set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a top view of the corner of a pool or pocket table with my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a top view of my invention as applied to a side pocket. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line a: m. Fig. 4. is a rear view of two adjacent cushion-sections, showing the continuationof the facing across the oint. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line y y in Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views ofthe frame, bymeans of which the cushion-sections are secured in position at the corners of the table; and Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views of the frame by which the cushion sections are secured in a side pocket.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A, Figs. 1 and 2, represents the usual cushion applied to the innerface of the railB, which is extended around the top of the table. In pool and pocket tables said rail B and cushion A have at the pockets a beveled excision for the entrance of the ball to said pocket.

In order to convert the aforesaid table into a carrom-table it is necessary to close the openings in the cushion A at the pockets in such a manner as to obtain a continuous cushion around the table.

Various devices have been resorted to to insert and properly confine sections of cushions in the aforesaid openings in the cushion A; but thus far none have been able to meet with public favor, owing chiefly to their defective or complicated and expensive construction.

Myinvention is designed to overcome these objections, and to that end it consists of the following construction and combination of its constituent parts:

a a denote the cushion-sections designed to fill the space in the cushion A at the pocket of the table. Said sections are fitted to and held adj ustablyin a frame composed of a metal bottom plate, I), provided at its front with a leaning or oblique flange, c, which has extensions 1; beyond the ends of the bottom plate, for the purpose hereinafter demonstrated.

To the rear portion of the bottom plate, I), is attached the top plate, 0, having a pendent back piece, cl, which is integral with or cast on the top plate and connected with the bottom plate, I), by screws or rivets. The top plate has its extremities extended past the ends of the back piece, as shown at u u, and is of about the same length as the front flange, c, of the bottom plate. The object of constructing the said frame of two parts, in the manner described and of the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, is to admit of readily moldin g and casting the same, and thus cheapening the manufacture thereof. Into the described frame are inserted endwise the cushion-sections at a, and adj ustably secured therein by setscrews 8 s passing vertically through longitudinal slots 1 in the top plate, 0, and entering the top of the sections a. a respectively. The bottom plate, I), and central portion of the top plate, 0, with its back piece, 01, are of alength to allow them to enter, with the cushion-sections at a, into the opening in the main cushion A from the front or inner face thereof. In so doing the extensions 2: o of the flange c on the bottom plate are brought to bear on the inner face of the adjacent ends of the main cushion A, and thus bring the inner or front face of the sections a at exactly in line with that of the main cushion. The extensions a u of the top plate resting at the same time on top of the main cushion, brings the top of the sections a a flush therewith.

too

The. described frame, with its cushion-sections connected thereto, is secured in its position by a strap, 0, formed into ahook, h, at its outer end, by which it grasps the pocket-frame on, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The inner end of the strap G rests on the top plate, 0, and is adjustably secured thereto by a set-screw, It", passing vertically through a longitudinal slot, 1', in the strap (J, and entering a screw-threaded socket, I, in the top plate, 0. After the supporting-frame of the sections a. a has been pressed into the opening of the main cushion A, so as to bring the flange c to firmly bear against the inner side of the main cushion, the strap C, with its outer end properly hooked onto the pocket-frame, is then clamped by tightening the set-screw 7;, and the cushion-sections a a are crowded close to the respective adjacent ends of the main cushion A, and clamped in their position by tightening the set-serewsss, before described. The flange c on the bottom plate is of such a height as to aflord a good bearing on the inner side of the cushion without encroaching on that part of the cushion which receives the concussion of the ball.

()n the sides ofthe table it is important that the cushion should have a continuous and smooth as well as true face, inasmuch as a break or unevenness in said face tends todivert the ball repelled therefrom in a different direction from that intended by the player. To obviate this defect I connect the two sections a a by an elastic strip or facing, 11, applied to the front or inner side and top of said section, said facing allowing the sections to be spread apart, and at the same time presenting an unbroken surface.

Havingdescrihed my improvements, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The cushion-sections a u, in combination with the bottom plate, I), provided with the front flange, 0, and the top plate, 6, united with the bottom plate by the back piece, (I, and provided with longitudinal slots 1 r, and the setscrews s, inserted vertically through the slots of the top plate and entering the top of sections (1 a, all constructed and combined substantially as described and shown.

2. In combination with the sections a a, the supporting frame composed of the bottom plate, cast or formed with the oblique flange 0 at its front, said flange having extensions 11 beyond the ends of the bottom plate, and the top plate, 0, cast with the back piece, d, in one piece, and having extensions to beyond the ends of said back piece, all constructed as described and shown.

3. The combination, with the cushion-sections 0 a, of an adjustable facing extended across the joint between the said sections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, with the cushion-sections a a, of the elastic strip a, applied to the front and top of said sections and extended across the joint of same, substantially as described and shown.

5. In combination with the cushion-sections a at, its supporting-frame composed of the bottom plate, b, provided with the front flange, c, and the top plate having the screw-threaded socket I and back piece, (I, and connected to the bottom plate, as shown, the clamp 0, formed at its outer end with a hook, it, and provided at the opposite end with the longitudinal slot '2', and the set-screw Z", all constructed and combined substantially in the mannerdescribed and shown.

In testimony whereofl have signed my name and affixed my seal, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 31st day of March, 1881.

JAMES DOOKSTADER.

Witnesses:

J. D. MINTURN, C. BENDIXON. 

